Part 1

Here’s yours, Hachinoya-san.

Thanks. …Oh, it's really a can of red bean soup.

? Well, yeah.

The last time I bought from that vending machine, I got a can of curry instead of red bean soup.

Huh, curry…? That would have made you even thirstier, right?

Well, it was actually pretty delicious and warmed my heart. Though it didn't quench my thirst.

Fufu, I see.

It’d be a problem if you ended up with curry too… so I had you buy them. Sorry.

“Thanks” is just fine. If anything, I was the one who selfishly asked to be brought along on your bike ride.

Jiiiiin… Thanks. I enjoyed having you along for the ride again.

It’s fun to ride alone too, but even familiar scenery can look different when you’re with someone.

Huh, so it’s like… discovering a new side of something? That sounds nice.

It was a really nice change of pace for me too. Watching the scenery go by calms my mind, somehow.

I get that.

(Taking a leisurely ride with a colleague… What a wonderful day off…) 

…Ah, right. If it’s okay with you, can we take a short detour?

A detour?

(It’s nearby. My favourite place.)

We’re here. Nice view, right?

Whoa…! I didn’t think there’d be such a good spot this close by.

It’s hard to get to on foot, so it’s surprisingly not very well known. I like how quiet and secluded it is.

You went out of your way to bring me to such a secret spot?

Finding places like this one is part of the fun of riding a bike. I wanted you to know about it too, Nanaki.

……! Thank you, that makes me happy.

…Hachinoya-san, do you remember the first time you gave me a ride?

Of course. We got soaked when we went shopping…

That’s right. It was rough, but it’s a good memory now, isn’t it?

At first, I was just using it as a means of transportation, but after riding it once, I was completely hooked.

Let me know whenever you want to ride again. My beloved bike is raring to go anytime.

Haha, it sure is an impressive bike. I’ll take you up on that.

(Come to think of it, I was surprised at first to see Hachinoya-san riding a big motorcycle, but… it’s really cool.)